Draft Watch: Bartlett’s grandson and Carlton father-son star in Coates Talent League

Round 7 of the Coates Talent League was jam-packed with the future stars of the AFL going tooth and nail against each other.

Cody Walker, who is the son of Carlton icon Andrew Walker, dominated the round with a whopping 31 disposals, 10 marks, eight tackles and three goals.

Walker is an under-aged prospect, spending the past two years training closely with the Carlton Academy, and has developed a deep relationship with Carlton stars Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, who have taken the role of mentoring young Cody.

Despite being a Carlton father–son prospect, Richmond will also have a chance to nab Walker in the 2026 draft, thanks to being a part of Richmond’s NGA. He'll be able to choose between the Blues and Tigers as a result.

Richmond fans should also keep an eye on Callum Smith, who is the grandson of 403-game club legend Kevin Bartlett.

Smith has continued his impressive start to the season, racking up 27 disposals, five tackles, four inside 50s and a goal against the Calder Cannons, although, he's not Grandfather-Son eligible.

Potential top-10 pick and Geelong NGA prospect Jesse Mellor booted five goals and accumulated 20 disposals in a losing side against the Tasmania Devils.

Oakleigh Chargers prospect Noah Yze, who is the son of Richmond coach Adem Yze, was a pressure beast this round, laying nine tackles, gathering 19 disposals and kicking the Chargers first goal of their game.

Below are the 10 best performers for Round 7 in the CTL, based off fantasy points:

1 - Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers) – 159
2 - Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights) – 142
3 - Joe Harrison (Sydney Swans Academy) – 124
4 - Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingrays) – 116
5 - Jesse Mellor (Geelong Falcons) – 115
6 - Xavier Taylor (Eastern Ranges) – 113
7 - Taylor Byrne (GWV Rebels) – 113
8 - Bennett Martin (Sandringham Dragon) – 112
9 - Flynn Penry (GWV Rebels) – 111
10 - Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power) – 110

Gippsland Power (83) – (67) Sandringham Dragons

After Sandringham led the entire game, Gippsland Power made a massive last-quarter comeback to defeat the Dragons by 16 points. This gutsy victory boosted Power to second on the ladder.

1 - Bennett Martin (SD) – 112
2 - Luke Cheffers (GP) – 110
3 - Jobe Scapin (GP) – 107
4 - Willem Duursma (GP) – 104
5 - Cody Templeton (GP) – 89

Eastern Ranges (57) – (54) Sydney Swans Academy

The Ranges just held on to clinch victory, surviving a late surge from the Swans Academy.

1 - Joe Harrison (SS) – 124
2 - Xavier Taylor (ER) – 113
3 - Oskar Taylor (ER) – 108
4 - Oscar Clifton (SS) – 101
5 - Blake Chambers (ER) – 93

Oakleigh Chargers (64) – (54) Brisbane Lions Academy

The Chargers won just their second game of the year, defeating the previously unbeaten Lions Academy.

1 - Harrison Bridge (BL) – 110
2 - Daniel Annable (BL) – 103
3 - Tyan Prindable (BL) – 91
4 - Aaron Sharkie (OC) – 90
5 - Noah Yze (OC) – 88

Bendigo Pioneers (71) – (68) GWV Rebels

In an absolute nail-biter, the Bendigo Pioneers narrowly defeated the Rebels, moving the Pioneers to seventh on the ladder.

1 - Cody Walker (BP) – 159
2 - Taylor Byrne (GWV) – 113
3 - Flynn Penry (GWV) – 111
4 - Jett Grayland (GWV) – 87
5 - Hunter Wright (BP) – 83

Tasmania Devils (91) – (78) Geelong Falcons

The Tassie Devils cruised to victory here against the Falcons, now winning three of their last four games.

1 - Jesse Mellor (GF) – 115
2 - Max Roney (TD) – 102
3 - Fred Lucas (GF) – 102
4 - Oliver Depaoli-Kubank (TD) – 97
5 - Archer Chamberlain (GF) – 95

Northern Knights (34) – (57) Gold Coast SUNS Academy

The SUNS Academy extend their unbeaten streak, with a dominating fourth quarter, kicking away from the Northern Knights.

1 - Sebastian Murphy (NK) – 142
2 - Koby Coulson (GC) – 101
3 - Cooper Collins (GC) – 96
4 - Taj Murray (GC) – 91
5 - Beau Addinsall (GC) – 90

Dandenong Stingrays (75) – (37) Calder Cannons

The Stingrays sit in the top 8 now after this impressive win against the fourth-placed Cannons, dominating after halfway through the second quarter.

1 - Callum Smith (DS) – 116
2 - Sam Lewis (DS) – 99
3 - Tyson Anic (DS) – 99
4 - Marcus Prasad (DS) – 95
5 - Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (DS) – 95